Collapsible multi-compartment container

ABSTRACT

A collapsible multi-compartment container having a plurality of prismatic compartments and adapted to lie flat when empty, formed of a pair of superposed panels joined to each other along their transverse edges and at regular intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges, at least one fold line extending across the width of the panels and at least one fold line extending along at least the longitudinal edge of each panel to define continuous strip means adapted to form closure flaps for each compartment.

United States Patent I 1191 1111 3,785,545 Roussel Jan. 15, 1974 [54]COLLAPSIBLE MULTI-COMPARTMENT 2,993,632 7/1961 De Feo .1 229/27CONTAINER 3,295,739 1/1967 Wilcox... 229/17G 3,204,850 9/1965 Wilcox...229/17 G [75] Inventor: Jean Roussel, Ca1u1re, France 471,255 3/1892Lorenz 229/56 [73] Assignee: SCAL, Societe de Conditionements FORElGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Aluminium Paris, France 3,001 10/1890 Sweden229/56 [22 Filed: Jan. '17, 1972 j Primary Examiner-Dams T. Moorheacl[2]] P 218,416 AttorneyMcDougal1, Hersh & Scott [30] Foreign ApplicationPriority Data ABSTRACT Jan. 18, 1971 France 7101523 A collapsiblemulti-compartmem container having a plurality of prismatic compartmentsand adapted to lie [52 US. (:1. 229/51 DB, 229/27, 229/17 G, flat when py formed of a p of superposed P 206/56 AB- els joined to each otheralong their transverse edges 51 Int. Cl. .1 B65d and at regularintervals in a direction Substantially [58] Field 01 Search 229/27, 28,51 DB, pendicular to the longitudinal g t l st ne f ld 229/56; 206/56AB, 45,11 line extending across thewidth of the panels and at leastone'fold line extending along at least the longitu- [56] Refer ce Cit ddinal edge of each panel to define continuous strip UNITED'STATESPATENTS means adapted to form closure flaps for each com- 1,035,25s8/1912 Stegman 229 51 DB ux partmem' v 1,998,147 4/1935 Stegman 229/51DB UX 8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEU J 1 5 7 SHEET 2 BF 7 Fig. 3;

Fig. 1.

Fig. 5

PATENTEU I 5W4 3,785,545

saw a or 7 v Fig. 7

@[VSEAS PATENTEUJAN 1 5 mm sum u or 7 PATENTED AN 1 5 4 Teams sumsnw v lT I W1 I I ll HM COLLAPSIBLE MULTI-COMPARTMENT CONTAINER This inventionrelates to a one-piece container of semi-rigid material which comprisesprismatic compartments and which is designed to be delivered flat to theconsumer.

Due to the progress which has been made in the preservation orconservation of foodstuffs, the habits of consumers are undergoing aconsiderable change. There is a distinct tendency among consumers to buyenough provisions for several days, even for one week at a time, and thelabor-saving handling of foodstuffs is important, especially in shops ofthe self-service kind.

Industry has responded to this new need by grouping individualcontainers into block packages. However, this answer leaves unresolved anumber of problems in the route of the container from the manufacturerto the consumer via the conserver and the retailer.

In cases where the individual container is rigid, as in the case of abottle, for example, delivery and storage of the empty container have tobe carried out under uneconomic conditions. In the case of a flexibleindividual container, the block package must of necessity be rigid, sothat its cost is relatively high in comparison with that of theconserved product.

In addition, the block packages often have fairly large overalldimensions in relation to their capacity and thus occupy adisproportionate amount of space which could otherwise be effectivelyused both by the consumer and by the retailer who has to provide fairlylarge display stands.

Simple block packages in the form of a removable tubular plasticswrapping do not have this disadvantage. However, they do have thedisadvantage that, once the wrapping has been removed, the'individualcontainers are scattered. 7

According to another known proposal, one-piece multi-compartmentcontainers are made by heatforming open cells in a sheet of plasticsmaterial and blocking the openings'of the cells with a removable film.Unfortunately, the volume of these cells prevents the empty containerfrom being economically stored and transported. In addition, the rate atwhich these containers can be producedisrelatively low.

It is accordingly an object'of the invention to provide a container forfoodstuffs and the like which can be manufactured in a simple andeconomical manner at high production rates from materials commerciallyused for containers for foods.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a container forfoodstuffs and the like which takes on a flat configuration when emptyand can be delivered in the form of a preform cut to the requireddimensions or in the form of anendless web wound onto a spool or afolded package having a plurality of individual compartments for usewith automatic processing machinery.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a container forfoodstuffs and the like in the form of a one-piece structure havingimproved rigidity when assembled for use for easy handling by retailers,consumers, etc., and which is capable of being separated into one ormore individual containers without affecting the rigidity and integrityof the remaining compartments.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear morefully hereinafter and, for purpared for the closing operation;

FIGs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate several stages in the closure of the base;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a closed assembly;

FIG. 11 shows an individual compartment in use; nd

FIG. 12 is a cross-section through the container after it has been madeup.

The concepts of the invention reside in a one-piece container ofsemi-rigid material which comprises several prismatic compartments andwhich is designed to be delivered flat to the consumer. The container ofthe invention is formed by the superposition of two panels joined fromone longitudinal edge to the other along connecting zones I,perpendicular to the aforementioned edges, situated at regular intervalseach corresponding to half the perimeter of the base of a compartment,the interval between twoconsecutive connecting zonesbeing provided overthe entire width of each of the panels with at least one fold line llparallel to the aforementioned zones, while at least one other fold lineIII, defining a closure flap, is situated parallel to at least one edgeof each panel. The individual panels can either be in the form ofendless webs or in the form of web segments, and the followingdescription applies equally to these two embodiments.

When, during closure of compartments that have been filled, thelongitudinal edge or edges of the panels are folded back around the lineIII, that part of the connecting zone which extends from one edge of thejoined panels to the line III is also folded and, in this way, forms arigid connection between two consecutive compartments. The connectingzones 1 can be defined by fold lines. For each panel, it issufficient'for one out of the two connecting zones to be defined in thisway. When'the two panels are .placed one on top of the other, a zonedefined on one of them faces an undefined zone on the other. The foldline II situated between two connecting zones can be equidistant fromthese two zones. In this'cas'e, the individual compartments of thecontainer will have a square base. To close each compartment, it isadvantageous for each segment defined on the fold line lll parallel tothe longitudinal edge by the intersections of this line with thetransverse fold lines II and with the edges of these zones,respectively, to form the base of an isosceles triangle whose other twosides are formed by fold lines extending towards the longitudinal edgeand if necessary by'the extension of these lines when the virtualpointof intersection is situated outside the panels.

In the embodiment described, the fold lines situated outside the lineIII define panel sections which are folded down when the container isclosed, alternately forming gussets and flaps. In addition, the foldlines which, as indicated above, form an isosceles triangle enable theflap to be opened in the form of a pouring spout.

The aforementioned fold lines are in the form of more or less deepgrooves of the kind well known in the field of foldable containers.

To make the individual containers easier to separate, the connectingzones I are weakened longitudinally by aprecut line.

At least those parts of the panels intended to be permanently joinedtogether can be coated with a layer of heat-weldable material.

To facilitate a ready understanding of the description of the invention,the embodiment illustrated relates to a container which consists of foursingle compartments and which is formed from two panels of suitabledimensions. However, other panels and other designs, for example asregards the closures, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The two panels 2 and 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can consist of anymaterial adapted to the contents, providing it can be folded and has acertain rigidity.

Accordingly, it is possible to use cardboard or sheets of a homogeneous,optionally expanded plastics material or composite materials. Thus, thecardboard can be covered with a film of plastic material such aspolyethylene. A sheet of aluminum can be applied to the outside foraesthetic or functional reasons. Applied internally, the sheet ofaluminum will in many cases afford special protection to the contents.All these layers are joined together by known methods.

The panels shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise connecting zones 4 which areperpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the panels. Similar butgenerally narrower zones 5 are situated at the transverse edges. Theinterval between two connecting zones is equal to half the perimeter ofthe base of one ofthe individual compartments of the container accordingto the invention.

Each of the panels is provided with grooved lines which, during make-upof the container, are intended to facilitate unfolding of the preformsresulting from the joining of two panels, and folding down of the flapswhich form the closure of the container.

Thus, between two connecting zones 4, 5, the panel is provided with agrooved folding line 6 parallel to these zones, i.e., perpendicular tothe edges.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, these grooves aresituated at an equal distance from two assembly zones. The prismaticcompartment arising out of this particular arrangement will have asquare base. To obtain compartments with rectangular bases, it issufficient to displace these lines on the two superimposed panels in thesame ratio but in the opposite direction. In the following sectionextending up to a new assembly zone, these ratios are-preferablyinverted so that, after assembly, the two opposite sides of eachindividual container are equal.

The connecting zones 4, 5 can be defined by fold lines 7 parallel to thepreceding fo ld lines 6. However, it is preferred to provide only oneout of two zones with these grooves 7 so that, when two panels areplaced one on top of the other, a zone defined by grooves on one of themcorresponds to a non-defined zone on the other.

The object of the transverse grooves 6, 7 discussed in the foregoing isto facilitate formation of adjacent compartments. They are completed bylongitudinal grooves which cooperate with the preceding grooves to closethese tubes.

Starting with the lower part of the panels, a first grooved line 8parallel to the side edge defines a foldable strip 9 in which theclosure flaps and gussets will be formed. The width of this-strip 9 issubstantially equal to half one side of the base. A second grooved line10 situated near and parallel to the edge defines a sealing strip 11.These two strips 9, 11 also comprise oblique grooves 12 which start fromintersections between certain transverse grooves 6, 7 and the firstgroove 8 and which form isosceles triangles whose apex, in theembodiment shown, is situated on the groove 10 defining the sealingstrip 11. Another groove 13 starts from this apex and is perpendicularto the edge.

The system of grooves shown in the drawing is the same in the upperpart. Lines 8', 10, 12 and 13 correspond to the groove lines 8, 10, 12and 13. In addition, this upper part comprises the grooves 14 formingother isosceles triangles whose base is formed by that part of the line8' situated between the edges of one connecting zone 4 or 5 and thenearest transverse groove 6. The apices of these triangles are situatedon the free edge of the-panel. I

The interval between the grooves 8 and 10' is greater than that providedin the base between 8 and 10. The effect of this enlargement of thefoldable strip 9' is that the formation of the closure of the fillingopening assumes the form of a ridge.

Finally, the connecting zones 4 are provided with a weakening line 15formed forexample by dotted or slotted perforations situated parallel toand at an equal distance from the longitudinal edges of theaforementioned zones 4.

FIG. 3 shows the joining of two panels 2 and 3 for the formation of apreform. Those parts of the connecting zones which touch one another arejoined by a method known per se. Thus, where the panels consist of thickpaper or cardboard, these parts can be joined by glueing. In cases wherecomposite sheets are used, in which case that surface coming intocontact with the contents consists of a plastics material (for example apolyolefin film), joining can be carried out by heat-welding or sealing,ultrasonic welding or by any other known method.

In order to align the preform before the container is filled, pressureis applied to the two transverse edges thereof in the direction of thearrows 16, 17 shown in FIG. 4. This pressure makes the elements assume aform whose cross-section comprises a sequence of four diamonds A, B, C,D which end up by being converted into squares as shown in FIG. 5.

It can be seen from this Figure that the connecting zones are situatedalternately on either side of the central plane x-y extending throughthe four individual compartments. The individual compartments are thusaligned and joined together.

Before filling, the individual compartments as shown on the left handside of FIG. 6 have to be closed on one side. For this purpose, thefoldable strips 9 are folded down around the grooves 8, the sealingstrips 11 being brought into contact with one another (FIGS. 7 and 8).By virtue of the grooves 14, gussets 18 are automatically formed.

The strips 11 are then joined by glueing, welding or any other suitablemethod which contributes to the tightness of the closure.

The ridge formed by the joining of these strips can be folded and fixedto the base (FlG. 9). The groove 8, in those segments where it forms thebase of a triangle whose other sides are formed by the grooves 12, canbe gently curved towards the interior of the panel which enables thecontainer to stand on a flat base.

After the compartments thus prepared have been .filled in the fillingmachine, the upper openings are closed in the same way as the base. Theridge formed by the joining of the strips 1 l' continues throughout theassembly.

The folding of the strips 9 and 9' leads to a result that is essentialto the containeraccording to the invention. The strips forming theconnecting zones 4 are folded at their ends and thus form rigidconnecting links between adjacent compartments. These connecting linksare able without breaking to withstand considerable stressing of thekind encountered during handling of the container when the conditionedproduct is heavy.

Where the closure system used is different from that described above,for example where it is in the form of a flat closure obtained bycomplete folding of the lateral strips 9 and/or 9', cut beforehand inthe form of foldable tabs, care should be taken to provide foldablestrips wideenough for those parts of the zones 4 which are situated onthese strips to be able to withstand these stresses, taking into accounton the one hand the rigidity of the container material and on the otherhand the weight of the contents.

in its assembled state, the one-piece multiple compartment containerdescribed above assumes a generally parallelepipedic form comprising arear boundary wall and a front boundary wall formed by the alignment ofthe individual compartments of square cross-section. The rigidity ofalignment is ensured by the connecting zones 4 described above, andparticularly by those parts of these zones situated between the flaps ofsuccessive compartments. I

As will be appreciated, the container according to the invention isparticularly easy to manufacture and assemble. a

In order to ensure perfect superposition of the zones to be joined, itcan be of advantage to start with a double-width strip folded about itscenter line, rather than with the separate strips, in which case theedge is cut after two faces have been joined along the connecting zones.v

It will be apparent thatvarious changes and modifications can be made inthe details of construction, assembly and use without departing from thespirit of the invention, especially as defined in thefollowing claims.

I claim: I

l. A one piece container formed of'a substantially rigid material whichincludes a plurality of prismatic compartments and which is adapted tolie flat when empty, comprising a pair of panels, one of which issuperposed on the other, said panels being joined each to the otheralong their transverse edges and at regular intervals to defineconnecting zones in a direction substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal edges and extending over the entire width of the panels,with the intervals corresponding to half the perimeter of the base ofone compartment, fold lines extending across the width of the panelsbetween connecting zones and at least one fold line extending along atleast one longitudinal edge of each panel to definecontinuous stripmeans adapted to form closure flaps for each compartment, a plurality ofindividual compartments of substantially parallelepipedic configurationcomprising a front wall and a rear wall formed by folding each of thepanels along the fold line extending across the width of the panels andalong the connecting zones, with the front and rear walls being heldinrigid alignment by the connecting zones alternately in front of andbehind a central plane extending through the compartments.

2. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein the panels are joined toeach other at regular intervals over a narrow distance to define aconnecting zone substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges ofthe panels. a

3. A'container as defined in claim 2 wherein the connecting zone isdefined by a pair of fold lines.

4. A container as defined in claim 2 wherein the fold line extendingacross the width of the panel is equidistant from adjacent connectingzones.

5. A container as defined in claim 2 wherein the continuous strip meansincludes at least a pair of fold lines defining the equal sides of anisosceles triangle extending toward the edge of each panel, with thebase of each triangle being formed by a segment defined by theintersection of the connecting zone and the fold line extending acrossthe width of the panel with the fold line extending along thelongitudinal edge of each panel.

6. A container as defined in claim 2 wherein the connecting zoneincludes a precut line formed of perforations extending across the widthof the panel to enable one compartment to be detached from adjacentcompartments.

7. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein at least the portions to bejoined together are covered with a layer of a heat-scalable material.

8. A container as'defined in claim 2 wherein the fold lines extendingacross the width of one panel are aligned with the connecting zones ofthe other panel.

1. A one piece container formed of a substantially rigid material whichincludes a plurality of prismatic compartments and which is adapted tolie flat when empty, comprising a pair of panels, one of which issuperposed on the other, said panels being joined each to the otheralong their transverse edges and at regular intervals to defineconnecting zones in a direction substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal edges and extending over the entire width of the panels,with the intervals corresponding to half the perimeter of the base ofone compartment, fold lines extending across the width of the panelsbetween connecting zones and at least one fold line extending along atleast one longitudinal edge of each panel to define continuous stripmeans adapted to form closure flaps for each compartment, a plurality ofindividual compartments of substantially parallelepipedic configurationcomprising a front wall and a rear wall formed by folding each of thepanels along the fold line extending across the width of the panels andalong the connecting zones, with the front and rear walls being held inrigid alignment by the connecting zones alternately in front of andbehind a central plane extending through the compartments.
 2. Acontainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the panels are joined to eachother at regular intervals over a narrow distance to define a connectingzone substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of thepanels.
 3. A container as defined in claim 2 wherein the connecting zoneis defined by a pair of fold lines.
 4. A container as defined in claim 2wherein the fold line extending across the width of the panel isequidistant from adjacent connecting zones.
 5. A container as defined inclaim 2 wherein the continuous strip means includes at least a pair offold lines defining the equal sides of an isosceles triangle extendingtoward the edge of each panel, with the base of each triangle beingformed by a segment defined by the intersection of the connecting zoneand the fold line extending across the width of the panel with the foldline extending along the longitudinal edge of each panel.
 6. A containeras defined in claim 2 wherein the connecting zone includes a precut lineformed of perforations extending across the width of the panel to enableone compartment to be detached from adjacent compartments.
 7. Acontainer as defined in claim 1 wherein at least the portions to bejoined together are covered with a layer of a heat-sealable material. 8.A container as defined in claim 2 wherein the fold lines extendingacross the width of one panel are aligned with the connecting zones ofthe other panel.